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The chief says these volunteers will strictly be the eyes and ears of the police department. And that won't come easy because they must be trained through Birmingham’s Police Academy, but that's enough to sway some councilors.
Birmingham police are looking for 200 volunteers to help them fight crime across the city.
The department recently received permission from city council to do this, but not everyone is on the same page about bringing back the citizen's patrol board, WVTM reports.
Some councilors say it’s too risky. The chief says these volunteers will strictly be the eyes and ears of the police department. And that won't come easy because they must be trained through Birmingham’s Police Academy, but that's enough to sway some councilors.
Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond says the volunteers will not have law enforcement power, and they will not be in marked police units.
In order to volunteer for the program, members will have to meet these requirements:
Be a Birmingham citizen
Pass a background check
Cannot have a criminal history
Complete a training conducted by the Birmingham Police Department.